Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Can Komiks be crowdsourced? Part 3: Crowdfunding komiks IRL

First things first: I understand the real world is a harsh place. New comics creators have to hurdle multiple barriers to entry, and even veterans aren't assured their next project will be at least a modest success.

My endorsement of crowdfunding, as it is done in Kickstarter, is not as a cure-all or an easy way out. It is a tool, a means to an end. Komiks makers can't rely on crowdfunding as a business model or as their sole source of revenue. For people who are pure comics creators, this is a great way to get patronage from a large pool of sponsors. For comics entrepeneurs and businessmen, this is a shortcut for what is often a difficult, frustrating process.

There are also issues with crowdfunding in Kickstarter, that no doubt pop up in real life. If needed funds are not reached by the deadline, it won't push through. When funds are committed, the funders need verification from the creators that the project is being made. Outside of Kickstarter, most creators would have to set deadlines on their own, so that other people involved in the project won't be tied down too long and take other commitments. A creator willing to handle all the duties on their own is rare and puts them at risk for trying too many things all at once.

As a follow up to Joanna Draper Carlson's earlier posts, here's a post giving some advice for people who want to try it themselves

-Better to fund a single project, rather than an ongoing series. However, something like a 3 issue series or even a maxiseries counts as a single project (since it's intended to end at some point).

-People are more likely to donate to a project when work has already been done on it. Don't just make a mockup of what it could look like. Show production script, finished pages, or for a series of books, an entire issue!

-The pitch should not come off as too greedy or needy. Instead, let your passion for your project show through.

-the incentives for funding should be special. At least, if you're giving away a copy to the funders, they shouldn't have to pay more than the final retail price. And it's better to give them less options, so that they don't get caught up deciding which incentive they want.

Local komiks creators could sign up for Kickstarter, but it may be more feasible to attempt localized crowdsourcing efforts. How do you think komiks creators could reach out for support for their komiks projects among fellow Pinoys? Should they make blogs, or go straight to social networks? Should they try to look for supporters IRL, in their own localities? Pinoys have increased their online spending in recent years, but this remains among the few who can afford it. Should crowdsourcing rely on purely online transactions, or attempt to accept alternate payment options?

edgArt.Supplies

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